Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 [07] Jul 19 July 19, 2001 Page 1 ofr, I Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in regular I session on Thursday, July 19, 2001 at 7:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. I Members Present: Mayor Larry Hosch. Councilors Bob Loso, Cory Ehlert, AI Rassier, Kyle Schneider. Administrator/Clerk Judy Weyrens. Others Present: Police Chief Gary Will, EDA Director Chad Carlson, Bill Lorentz, Norm Hanson, Mary Theisen, Jennifer Theisen, Ken Twit, Lonnie Abbott, Mary Schroden, Jane Lowell, AI Gwost, Gary Schleicher, Tim Muske, Ted Schmidt, Matt Chourard, John Meyer, JoAnne Schneider, Dorian Davidson, John Meyer. I Approve Aaenda: Loso made a motion to approve the agenda removing consent agenda item (b) Minutes and (d) Amendment to Ordinance No. 51. The motion was seconded by Ehlert and passed unanimously. Consent Aoenda: Loso made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows; seconded by Ehlert and passed unanimously. a. b. c. d. e. f. I g. h. i. Bills Payable, Check Numbers 29951 - 30062. Removed Authorize the expenditure not to exceed $ 4,500 for the purchase of four (4) picnic tables and pads and three (3) benches and pads. Removed Authorize Administrator/Clerk Weyrens to attend the GFOA Conference in Alexandria, September 18 - 22. Approve a Special Use Permit to Sunset Manufacturing to construct a light manufacturing warehouse and office facility at 417 - 1" Avenue NE The permit requires the property owner to landscape the building area facing Date street. Accept the Petition for Annexation to incorporate a portion of the Rennie Farm (14.26 Acres) adjacent to County Road 133. The annexation petition was submitted by Scenic Specialties and Dorine Rennie. Amend Ordinance 42 to include provisions for watering bans. Set bond sale date for August 16, 2001. Bond proceeds will be used for the improvements for Northland Five. Public Comments Opportunity Manor: Steve Femlin of Opportunity Manor appeared before the Council to discuss the issuance of Industrial Revenue Bonds. Femlin stated that Opportunity Manor is in the process of remodeling/constructing 11 group homes serving adults with mental illness. The homes are located in various jurisdictions including St. Joseph at 13 - 12'h Avenue SE. The City of Sauk Rapids will be issuing the Revenue Notes as the majority of the projects are in Sauk Rapids. The Revenue Notes are not an obligation of the City, nor do they impact bonding ability. There is no risk to the City, but they cannot be issued with City endorsement. At this time Femlin requested the City Council set a public hearing for Thursday, August 16, 2001 at 7:00 PM. Loso made a motion to set a public hearing on August 16, 2001 at 7:00 PM for the proposed Revenue Notes for Opportunity Manor. The motion was seconded by Ehlert and passed unanimously. liauor Violation. St. Joseph Parish: St. Joseph Parish Trustee Bill Lorentz appeared before the Council to discuss the recent liquor violation. On July 3, 2001 St. Joseph Parish received a liquor violation for selling to a minor. Lorentz stated the parish is taking this violation seriously and will be looking at ways to prevent this from happening in the future. In the past the St. Joseph Police Department provided security for the beer gardens, but that did not happen this year. I July 19, 2001 Page 2 of? Hosch questioned if the festival planning has changed from the past year. Lorentz stated the planning committee is comprised of many new people. However, Steve Nelson discussed with Chief Will police security for the beer gardens and the procedure for closing the road for the parade. I Hosch stated the Council needs to take action on the liquor violation and stated this is the first violation received by the parish in over 20 years. Loso questioned Lorentz as to the measures steps the Parish will be taking to prevent this from happening in the future. Lorentz stated that they will make sure the Police Chief is involved with the planning for the festival and conduct a meeting with the volunteers serving in the beer stand to make sure they ar,ea aware of the rules and regulations. Loso made a motion to send St. Joseph's Parish a written warning re'garding the liquor violation that occurred on July 3, 2001. Further, the City will hold the parish to the same standards as other liquor license holders in the future. The warning is due to the fact that the Parish has not had any liquor violations in the past 20 years and a breakdown in communication between the City and the Parish may have contributed to the lack of police presence. The motion was seconded by Ehlert. Discussion: Ehlert requested that in the future, all applications for outdoor liquor include provisions for security and fencing. The motion passed unanimously. SI. Cloud Partnership: SI. Cloud Partnership Director Jeff Schlingman appeared before the Council to discuss the activities of the Partnership. Schlingman stated that over the past year the Partnership has revised the mission statement, produced a quarterly newsletter, completed strategic planning including a work plan, established goals and created a web site. Schlingman encouraged the City to use the Partnership as they are working with the City to market and retain businesses. I City Engineer Reports Northland Five Bid Results: City Engineer Joe Bettendorf reported that at 11 :00 AM today bids were opened for the improvements to Northland Plat Five. The City received eight (8) bids as follows: Base Bid Alternate A Final Bid Larson Excavating Randy Kramer KuechleUnderground· Northdale SR Weidema RL Larson Landwehr JR Ferche $623,715.93 $ 651,337.91 $ 683,654.00 $ 709,455.29 $ 711,171.55 $ 753.970.50 $ 761,366.25 $ 787,779.00 $ (24,577.37) $ ( 8,000.00) $ ( 3,575.00) $ ( 2,350.00) $ ( 2,587.50) $ ( 5,400.00) $ ( 3,387.50) $ ( 4,290.00) $ 599,138.56 $ 643,337.91 $ 680,079.00 $ 711,805.29 $ 708,584.05 $ 748,570.50 $ 757,978.75 $ 783,489.00 Bettendorf stated that the project was bid with an altemate, allowing a polyethytene pipe for storm sewer rather than concrete. In the past the City has required concrete piping. However, Bettendorf stated that many cities have been successful using polyethytene pipe. Public Works Director Dick Taufen has agreed to implement the new piping in Northland. I I I I I I July 19, 2001 Page 3 of;7 I loso made a motion to accept the low bid of larson Excavating in the amount of $ 623,715.93 less the deduction for alternate A ($ 24,577.37) based on the recommendation of the City Engineer. The motion was seconded by Schneider and passed unanimously. Bettendorf also reported that the proposed lift station in the Northland Addition may be relocated. If the lift station is built on the west side of Northland Drive, Excel Energy will charge the developer $ 30,000 for three phase power. If the lift station is built on the east side of Northland Drive, the power would be supplied by Stearns Cooperative Electric at a cost $ 12,000. Ehlert questioned if both utility companies are aware of the cost difference and if they would be willing to negotiate the fee for power. Ehlert further questioned if the location of the lift station is being compromised in exchange for a lower power supply cosl. Bettendorf responded that although it does not make a difference where it is located his preferences would be to place the lift station on the west side of Northland Drive. If the lift station is located on the east side of Northland Drive, it would be boarding a residential property line. If the lift station is located on the west side it would abut Northland Park. County Road 121: Bettendorf presented the Council with a preliminary assessment role for the proposed improvement to County Road 121 (College Avenue South). In preparing the assessment role, Bettendorf questioned the assessment to SI. Joseph's Parish, hookup fees for the apartments and the maximum assessment for front footage. Hosch stated the importance of being consistent with past practices and requested this matter be tabled until the next meeting, allowing the Council time to review the information. I Weyrens requested the Council establish a date for the public improvement hearing using the preliminary assessment role as presented by the City Engineer. loso made a motion to schedule the Public Improvement Hearing for County Road 121 (College Avenue South) fOr Wednesday, August 29, 2001 at 7:00 PM. The hearing will be held at the 51. Joseph Community Fire Hall. The motion was seconded by Schneider and passed unanimously. Watab Storm Sewer Outlet: Bettendorf reported that the storm sewer outlet near the creek is in dire need of repair. The pipe has changed in shape from circular to oval, and not repaired will likely collapse. Bettendorf will review this matter with Dick Taufen and report back to the Council. ROQer Tamm. Variance Request 203 Cedar Street East: Roger Tamm appeared before the Council to request a variance on the exterior finish requirement in SI. Joseoh Code of Ordinances 52.22 Subd 7 (c). Said Ordinance requires that 50% of the building exterior consists of brick, stone tip-up concrete panel, decorative concrete block and/or glass. Any building undergoing renovation, repair or an addition, so as to require the issuance of a building permit shall be brought into conformance with the Ordinance. On July 2, 2001 the SI. Joseph Planning Commission conducted a public hearing and recommended the following: Denial of the variance to allow the construction of an addition to the existing building without meeting the exterior building material requirements as stated in st. JoseDh Code of Ordinances 52.22 Subd. 7 fc). i I Tamm stated that he is in the process of purchasing the building for his photography business. In consideration of the recommendations of the Planning Commission, Tamm stated that he will place a brick venire for a height of five (5) feet on the north, east and south side of the structure. The existing handicap ramp will be removed and the main entrance to the studio will be facing easl. Tamm further stated that since the west side is not visible, he will not brick that side. The siding on the addition will match the existing siding as much as possible. July 19, 2001 Page 4 of7 Loso made a motion to grant a 30% variance on the exterior requirements of SI. Joseph Code of Ordinance 52.22 Subd. 7 (c) for the property located at 203 Cedar Street East with the following contingency: The property owner will install brick venire for a height of five (5) feet on the south, east and west side of the new addition and on the south and east side of the existing building. 1 The motion was seconded by Ehlert. Discussion: Rassier encouraged the Council to require the property owner to place the brick on all four sides of the building. Rassier reminded the Council that the Planning Commission unanimously recommended the variance be denied. Ken Twit encouraged the Council to protect the integrity of the Ordinance and requIre brick on all four sides of the building. Ayes: Hosch, Ehlert, Loso, Schneider Nays: Rassier. Motion Carried 4:1:0 Amv Sand. 510 Fir Street East: Amy Sand approached the Council in opposition of the proposed rezoning of a portion of the plat entitled Indian Hills. She stated that in her opinion the residents were not heard at the Planning Commission meeting and they are opposed to the rezoning of a portion of the Indian Hills Plat. Sand stated that they have not been informed as to the development that will occur on the rezoned parcel and she is requesting the Council deny the rezoning. loso clarified that at this time there are no development plans. The property owner is platting the parcel and has requested to rezone a portion for multiple family. Before anything is constructed the property owners would be notified as a development containing more than 12 apartment units would require a public hearing'- loso further clarified that R-3 zoning is not limited to apartment buildings. I John Meyer clarified that the Planning Commission did allow for resident input regarding the rezoning, but many of the residents left after the plat hearing was closed. Weyrens stated that notice of the hearings were published and mailed to the affected Properl!f owners. Preliminary Plat. Indian Hills: Hosch stated that he would like the Preliminary Plat sent back to the Planning Commission for further discussion. It has been brought to his attentIon that some mis-information may have influenced the decision of the Planning Commission and therefore he would like them to have the opportunity to review the matter. Loso made a motion to table discussion on Indian Hills Plat and send it back to the Planning Commission for further discussion. The motion was seconded by Hosch. Discussion: Ehlert questioned the quick moüon to table the matter and encouraged the Council to have some discussion. This matter was placed on the agenda for discussion and he feels that as a Council they should discuss the matter before tabling it. Rassier stated that he is supportive of tabling the plat as the Planning Commission may not have been given accurate information. Weyrens stated that if the matter is tabled, the Council will have to meet in special session as this is a land use decision and requires action within 60 days. The 60 days could be waived if the property owner would agree to such. Property owners John Meyer and Dorian Davidson stated they would not waive any üme requiremerl1:s as it would cause a hardship to them. I· , i July 19, 20Ql Page 5 or:7 I , Ehlert stated that it is not appropriate to send a matter back to the Planning Commission without some direction. The Council should at least outline the issues before sending it back. Based on discussion, Loso withdrew his motion to table as did Hosch the second to the motion. John Meyer stated the main concern of those present at the public hearing for the Preliminary Plat was the perceived need for a easVwest road through the plat on the west side of Northland Drive. While Meyer stated he does not believe the road makes sense, he and Davidson are willing to donate a sixty-six foot wide easement between Lots 1 and 2 Block 1 for a future roadway with the following understanding: 1. The easement will not be indicated on the plat, rather through a separate agreement with a sunset clause. 2. The easement will only be applicable for the construction of a road with all the costs being born by the City. 3. The road must connect to 4th Avenue NE. On July 2, 2001 the St. Joseph Planning Commission conducted a public hearing for the purpose of the Preliminary Plat for Indian Hills Park and recommended the following: Approval of the Preliminary Plat of Indian Hill Park as presented provided the property owner, DM Building, include a sixty-six foot road with cul-de-sac between Lots 1 and 2 Block 1 . I Loso made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission, approving the Preliminary Plat of Indian Hills Park with the following contingencies: 1. The property owner will include a sixty six foot road with cul-de-sac between Lots 1 and 2, Block 1; and 2. The property owner will work with the City Administrator, Engineer and Attorney to draft an agreement providing an easVwest corridor between above mentioned lots providing for a future roadway. 3. Approval of the City Engineer and City Attorney. The motion was seconded by Ehlert. JoAnn Schneider of 408 Gumtree Street East approached the Council and encouraged the City begin transportation planning. She stated 2 years ago the Council referred the matter to the Planning Commission and nothing has been done. Now the City has an opportunity to plan an easVwest road before any houses are constructed and without paying for additional right-of-way. Lonnie Abbott of 409 Gumtree Street East approached the Council and clarified the location of the easVwest road. Ehlert clarified that the developer will be required to make a provision for a cul-de-sac between Lots 1 and 2; Block 1. In addition, an agreement will be executed giving the City an option to acquire additional right-of-way if 4th Avenue NE is extended to connect to the cul-de-sac. I , . , John Meyer stated that the property in question is being developed as commercial property and as such it is hard to determine the exact location of the roadway. Meyer stated that DM Building would agree that the road could be shifted north or south upon their approval. This requirement will be added to the agreement. I Ayes: Ehlert, Loso, Rassier, Schneider Nays: Hosch Motion Carried 4:1:0 ;';"'",:'f1\¿~":~k;>~t\'ΕΎ~'~7~:" ,i.."", July 19, 2001 Page 6 of? Rezonino _ Indian Hills Park: On July 2, 2001 the St. Joseph Planning Commission conducted a public hearing for the purpose of the Rezoning Lot 1 of Block 1 Indian Hills Plat from current Highway Business to R3, Multiple Family and recommended the following: Approval of rezoning request as presented. John Meyer and Dorian Davidson requested the Council rezone Lot 1 Block 1 Indian Hills Park from Highway Business to R3 Multiple Family. Davidson stated that the lot in question contains an area which in his opinion would be suitable for residential development. At this time they have no plans to develop the site but will be placing the property on the market. I Tim Muske of 506 Gumtree Street East questioned how the Council can approve the rezoning without a development plan. Hosch clarified that if an apartment complex with greater than 12 units were proposed, the adjoining property owners would be notified and have the opportunity to speak. Ehlert made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission, rezoning Lot 1 Block 1 Indian Hills Park from Highway Business to R:3, Multiple Family; seconded by Loso. Ayes: Hosch, Ehlert, Loso, Rassier Nays: Schneider Motion Carried 4:1:0 MAYOR REPORTS Meetinos Attended: Hosch reported that he attended the following meetings: Five City Planning District and Partnership Meeting. COUNCIL REPORTS I SCHNEIDER - No Report EHLERT - No Report RASSIER Affordable Housino _ Refurbishino: Rassier reported that he attended a meeting in Waite Park regarding refurbishing of the existing housing stock. Waite Park is in the process of receiving a grant to assist residents with needed repairs. This type of program would be part of the affordable housing program. LOSO - No Report ADMINISTRATOR I CLERK REPORTS Assessor Rate Increase: City Assessor Ollie Lesnick submitted a summary of area assessor rates; they are as follows: Stearns County $ 6.03 to $ 11.91 per parcel (Provide servioe for Waite Pari<. Sl Joseph Township) Sartell Melrose $ 7.50 per parcel $ 10.00 per parcel Rassier made a motion to increase the assessor rate per parcel from the current $ 8.68 to $ 10.00 effective January 1, 2002. The motion was seconded by Schneider and passed unanimously. I 1 I I July 19, 2001 Page 7 00 Scheduled Meetina: Weyrens reminded the Council of the following meetings: July 25, 2001 - Monte Eastvold, Financing proposed projects July 26,2001 - Office Staffing Adiourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 9:40 PM; seconded by Ehlert and passed unanimously. 1 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK I 1